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The Hidden Job Market

Looking for a job online at workopolis.com and other job banks, and applying to positions on these websites, are great ways to find the “advertised’ positions: that is, postings that are publicly displayed.

In total, these types of opportunities only make up a portion of all the work that’s available. Where then are all the other jobs concealed?

 They are in the so-called “hidden job market,” which is made up of openings that become available but don’t get widely published. This happens many times every workday. For instance, someone may quit unannounced, leaving an immediate gap. Or else a company might land a major new client and need to hire right away (but they don’t want to pay for advertising the jobs or going through recruiters). These types of examples form the hidden job market – positions that are filled by, or created for, candidates (job seekers) who come to an employer’s attention through employee recommendations, referrals from trusted associates, direct inquiries and the networking efforts of a job seeker. The idea here is to reach an employer before they even publicize a new position.

 Here are some ways how to tap into the Hidden Job Market

Cold Marketing simply means that the employers you apply to, do not know you previously. The key here is to get your resume in front of the people who are in charge of hiring. Under cold marketing you may choose the following methods:

♦      Mass Mailing – sending out resumes to the companies and organizations that are in your geographic area you would consider working in.  It is a low percentage strategy but it does get your name out to a wide swath of employers

♦      Targeted Mailing – sending out customized resumes/applications to companies and organizations you are interested for. You can boost your chances for targeted mailings by:

• Getting the correct name, title and spelling of the hiring manager
• Researching the employer beforehand and including a bit of what you know about them in your cover letter
• Following up within five business days of sending your application with a polite phone call, asking if they’ve received it, and if you might come in to discuss opportunities

Warm Marketing (Networking) simply means that a path has been paved for you by someone that has a connection to the employer. You can do this by letting your friends, family members, acquaintances know of the type of position you are searching for. In turn, they will let others know of your job search efforts and this will create your network. The goal is to use your network to get yourself in front of the employer. Don’t be shy, let people know what you are searching for and market your skills!

The Resume Drop-Off is another method you are able to use. While you are there dropping off your resume/application, you can ask to see the manager and introduce yourself in person. Don’t forget to have your “30 second elevator speech” ready to go!

Personnel Agencies are another popular step. If a company does not have the time to advertise and interview candidates for particular jobs, they may seek the assistance of recruiters. Try to connect with recruiters in your area so that you have others helping you in your search as well.

Making your way through the hidden job market takes time and effort. By using some of the methods described above, you cover the employment road. Mesh it together and include a healthy dose of online job hunting, and you have a winning game plan.

To learn more, contact Skills Connect at 604 575 3800

Betty has a Bachelor’s Degree in Computer Science and worked in logistics for the Transportation Authority of Shenyang in China for 12 years. Her expertise is mostly in support office network, solving applications problems, sorting information about transportation, preparing analysis reports for the department manager, administering computer network. She developed a unique blend of skills in computer applications and business administration in transportation field.

Betty arrived to Canada in June 2005 and initially focused on upgrading her English skills. In 2007 she secured employment as Purchasing and Shipping Clerk at the Way of World Travel and Cruises firm. This job was mostly data entry and customer service oriented that navigated her interest toward the Douglas College Customer Service training course that she finished in 2007.

However she felt that this was not her field and still explored her options in the transportation industry. To build on her existing computer skills she applied for Certified Software Tester (CSTE) certification through Software Certifications based in Toronto and passed her exam in December 2007. She also enhanced her skills by taking BCIT Canadian International Freight Forwarders Association Certification.

In April 2008 she was able to secure a job as a Freight Cashier/Data Entry with China Shipping Agency, but realized that lack of Canadian experience in her field and lack of Canadian education are holding her from progressing to the job more suitable to her skills set. Eventually she decided to invest into her future and take any available International Trade Programs.

While she was taking English courses at Mosaic she learned about the Skills Connect (previously ArriveBC) program and in summer 2008 she attended our info session. She joined the program in June, 2008. Her resume and cover letter were immediately revised to more reflect her skills in transportation and to focus on her excellent computer skills as well.

She did not give up on her future career plans. Together with her employment counsellor she created her career action plan and diligently followed the steps. She enrolled into the BCIT International Trade and Transportation Logistics and started her studies in September 2008.

New approach to the job search and new job search tools, interview preparation and following up on her job applications paid off. In April 2009 Betty successfully secured a new job as Pricing Coordinator with Schenker of Canada Company based in Vancouver. This company specializes on integrated logistics services, offering land operations, air and ocean freight as well as comprehensive logistics solutions and global supply chain management. At her current job Betty is utilizing her computer skills and strong knowledge in logistics, international trade and import/export processes.

She passed her probation and continues successful employment within her skills set.

Mr. Arcenas has Bachelor’s Degree in Marine Transportation and in Economics from Philippines and has 9 years experience working in his field. He spent over 3 years working as an Ordinary Seaman on shipping lines in Greece. Later he became a Third Officer on a passenger vessel in Italy and on a marine car carrier in South Korea, a position which he held for almost 3 years. After that he accepted a position as a Second Officer and worked in South Korea and Japan for another 2 years. His expertise is in the navigating office. He was in charge of charts, navigation, route plans and navigating equipment maintenance. He is also skilled in emergency procedures and protocols and as well in cargo handling.

After his arrival to Canada, Mr. Arcenas contacted Transport Canada for assessment and registration. He was approved as a candidate for a position of a Watchekeeping Mate. He was recommended to take several courses at BCIT and a medical examination.

Mr. Arcenas secured employment as a forklift operator to support his family and started to work on Transport Canada requirements. As he was looking for preparatory courses, English upgrading courses and additional help with his job and career plans he found a Skills Connect brochure at a Vancouver Community College campus and contacted us for an info session. He was accepted into the program in December 2007 and started to learn job search techniques by attending some group and individual workshops.

Skills Connect assisted Mr. Arcenas with resume revision, helped him create his cover letter and provided Internet resources for job search. Through his job search Skills Connect supported Mr. Arcenas by following up with Transport Canada regarding their requirements, contacting employers for interviews feedback and setting up informational and job interviews with employers of his interest.

Mr. Arcenas received financial support from Skills Connect for his studies and exams. He was also going through very hard time personally and career wise and was seeking moral support and encouragement from his employment counselor throughout his participation in the program.

Eventually Skills Connect assisted Mr. Arcenas with informational interview at BC Ferries, which clarified the hiring process for him and therefore he could focus on this company as his first choice for employment. When BC Ferries opened their hiring season in February 2009, Skills Connect helped Mr. Arcenas to set up a job interview with their HR Manager and prepared him for it. He successfully secured employment as a Deck Officer, starting in March 2009. He was on probation for 6 month, which he passed in August and he successfully continues his employment.

I have never been called a “Pollyanna” and while an optimist, I am also a realist. As such, I know that some things just take a lot of work, to work.

Have you ever noticed that ‘right out of the gate’ or ‘off the mark’, however you want to say it, many things don’t work as they are meant to without some work, remediation and elbow grease. Argh! In fact, too many things are like this! Whether it is the toy you buy your child for his birthday, or the new computer program you “try” to install and use. Over the last 2 years (since 2007) the Skills Connect for Immigrants – Health Program – Consortium, has been like this. The concept is brilliant: put all the players that have anything to do with assisting Internationally Educated Health Professionals (IEHP) in one room (employers, regulatory bodies, unions, post-secondary education institutions, associations and providers), facilitate and fund the meetings to remove the bugs and obstacles related to credential recognition, licensure and getting a job, and presto-chango, the BC Health Care delivery system works better as there are more Skilled Health professionals in the system ready to work, and the labour pool-skilled, internationally trained professionals-move more quickly into “their field” instead of driving taxi. Well, in theory that is how it should work….

In 2007 the BC Government began funding a program called Skills Connect for Immigrants – Health, an employment bridging program to assist IEHP’s with upgrading, credential recognition, licensure and employment. Back in Motion and Douglas College were the successful proponents to deliver these services to the Skilled Immigrants. The Skills Connect Health consortium and advisory started soon thereafter with the mandate to overcome obstacles, facilitate communication and make things work better and more simply for e.g. the Nurse, or Physical Therapist who has training, skills and experience in their home country. The Consortium just had its 3rd annual meeting on November 26, 2009 to discuss the successes achieved, the changes required, and work to be done in the upcoming year. The Consortium advisory group meets 5-6 times per year, is a subset of the larger Consortium, and is charged with doing the work of the larger group.

So what has happened in these past 2 years? Well, to date 1000 IEHPs have entered the program. Of these 270 who have completed the program, and 80% have found employment. In addition, working groups of employers have met, English language training for the workplace courses have started, and regulatory bodies have streamlined and improved their processes. Most importantly communication and dialogue continues about how to do better and improve cumbersome and outdated structures. But there is still a lot of work to be done. And the work and change required in these kind of complicated interconnected systems moves unbelievably slowly despite best efforts and intentions. As hard as it is, we need to be patient and diligently challenge old ways of doing things. Of course, just when we think we’re doing better there will be new challenges to any progress made, such as the current Health Authority amalgamations, and changing personnel. In the words of Mr. Minhas, a foreign trained pharmacist from Egypt who has been successful at getting his credentials recognized, passing examinations, attaining Pharmacy Registration in BC, and securing employment in his field, “you will always fail at 100% of the challenges you do not take!”.

To hear and see some of the challenges and successes that our clients have experienced and were told at this years Skills Connect Health Consortium conference please check out our youtube link on www.skillsconnect.ca